Hybrid or racing for first bike?

Greetings. My first post here. Like many other newbies, I want to transition from spinning to road cycling, and I'm now searching for a bike shop, let alone a bike. However, in both shops I have visited, though I've specified I'm looking for an entry-level road racer, the salesmen have offered up a hybrid as well. Hybrids are so much less expensive they seem tempting. Like for instance, the Specialized Vita vs Specialized Dolce - $300 difference, no small thing at all for me.

The thing is, can a hybrid work for what I want to do? I want to ride for fitness. I want to join group rides. I want to become the best cyclist I can be. I aim to change my life through cycling. I'm already obsessive about reading cycling mags and getting training tips. I'll never use the bike for commuting, errands, shopping, etc. I'll never have a basket on the front of my bike.

Any thoughts on hybrids and why the salesmen are pitching them to me? I'm basically wondering if I should go hybrid and save the cash.

You already know what you want... get the road bike. :)

BTW ....Welcome to TE

Get the road bike or you may end up with buyers remorse. Even if you have to wait a bit for the bike you really want (and it sounds like you want a road bike) it is so worth it in the end. Plus, you will probably ride it more if you really like it. Don't settle for a hybrid just to save some money.

concur, sounds like a biking for you is a form of exercise, not transportation. If you are about speed and group riding you need a bike that is made for those activities. If you know your size, remember to shop the forum as well. A gently used bike may be the perfect match.

The answer to your basic question is yes and no. A hybrid such as the Vita are often characterized as flat bar road bikes. The Vita is a great bike and can do everything you want to some degree. However, if group riding is part of your plan, the hybrid may turn out to be a bit slower than the Dolce because of the hybrid geometry and gearing. That, of course, depends on what kind of groups you ride with, as well as the engine....that is your strength and fitness. I bought my hybrid, Trek FX 7.5, and two months later bought a road bike, a Dolce Sport. Besides the fact that these two bikes threw me into the depths of bike addiction, both are great and both get used for different purposes. Bottom line is no one can tell you what will be best for you. You need to find a good local bike shop (LBS) you like and trust, set a budget, ride different brands of both styles, and see which fits you the best, then you buy the one that makes you smile and want to go out and ride. Enjoy the shopping experience.

P2

What you seem to be asking is whether to get a bike with drop handlebars or go with a flat bar bike. Most people, though not everyone, who ride a lot like drop bars because of the additional hand positions you can achieve. As Muirenn says, the drop bar road bikes come in different geometries, depending on the type of riding you do and how you are the most comfortable. The Dolce would be a good choice for an entry level road bike with a relaxed geometry. A Trek Lexa would be somewhat similar. Felt and Jamis aren't as big name brands but have some very good choices that are relatively easy on the budget. Try a number of bikes and see what is a comfortable fit for you.

I'd say get what you want, and if what you want is a road bike, get it. It doesn't sound like you'd be happy on a hybrid with the kind of riding you want to do.

Whether to go all the way to a race bike is another question. You might be happier with sport-touring geometry, like that Dolce you mentioned, something that has a little less twitchy steering and a little more comfort for long days in the saddle. Especially since you didn't mention wanting to race.

Thank you for all the good advice. I guess I just needed a little confirmation to get what I initially wanted to get! Finding an LBS (even in a big city like Toronto) is going to take a miracle. The shop where I go spinning, I thought they would treat me right when I asked about buying a bike. The guy who signs me into spinning class pointed to an Opus Scherzo, which is a Canadian brand, which is now deeply discounted, and said, "That one. Or that one." And he pointed to a bike from Rocky Mountain that was the same price. No invitation to try, no fitting, no asking questions, nothing. It was so clear he wanted a quick sale and for me to get out already.

Well, the search continues for an LBS and a bike, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to help me figure some things out!

They're pitching the hybrid because you're a new cyclist and female--a demographic that tends to be intimidated by the thought of a road bike. (I hear "I don't want those skinny tires..." a lot.) Get the road bike. Try out a couple different bikes (not just the Dolce--Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Jamis, Felt etc all make road bikes that are equivalent to the Dolce). You might not need a "racing" bike, but you can get a road bike with a more relaxed, "endurance" geometry that's a bit more upright. They tend to be somewhat less expensive than race-oriented bikes, too.

I bet Toronto has several bike shops. Someone on here may pipe up with some suggestions. Something you could try (which worked well for me) was contacting a local bike club. I hooked up with the club and they were able to give me some good suggestions on bike shops in the area that are very helpful.

You are right - the skinny tires did look pretty skinny next to a hybrid and that's what got me thinking....in the wrong direction.

Road bike because I went the hybrid route and sold it less than 6 months later for a carbon road bike.

I wanted a hybrid so that I could do light mountain or road. Unfortunately, a hybrid can do both light mountain or road but cannot do either well.

So if you know for sure that you want to road bike only and not mountain bike, go for the road bike. The Specialized Vita is more for someone who just wants to do light exercising. I had my LBS set my road handlebars very high up since I was not used to the curved road bike handle bars and lowered them as I progressed in my biking. My handlebars currently are level with my saddle. I am also glad to be able to change hand and body positions on my road bike compared to just having hybrid type handlebars. In fact, I wish that my mountain bike came with road bike handle bars...kinda like a cyclocross bike.

As to the tire widths, a lot of TE members buy wider road tires for their road bikes for better comfort. A lot of them ride 25cc to 28cc wheels.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)

Hi Bonnie. Welcome to TE. I now own four bikes because what you are describing happened to me in a store in Brampton. (My first bike was sold to me by a store that didn't stock womens bikes and I don't know if they were even available in '93!) I was actually steered to a comfort bike in 2008 because I was having wrist problems and was told that was the only solution. It was a quick easy sale because I was unsure and easily convinced. I don't like that bike. I keep it at work for running errands at lunch. I started reading and found TE learned a lot about bikes and I ended up with a Dolce Elite. Love the bike. No wrist problems because of proper fitting. I bought a WSD mountain bike (Trek bike store in Toronto) to do trails and just bought a steel Surly for gravel roads. (Not enough hours in my life to ride all the bikes I own! LOL) Stick to your guns and try as many road bikes as you can find in your size. I can't suggest a shop in Toronto because I have only dealt with the Trek Store there. The Dolce was fluke because it just fit so perfectly from the floor. When I bought my Surly I had to come to forums here for reassurance and a push to get what I wanted because the stores were directing me away from steel. The women on this forum rock! Have fun shopping. I found that if you are a little assertive (certainly not aggressive!;)) that you can usually find some one that will pay attention to your wants.

Hi BonnieS - I've read all the posts here with particular interest as I have been riding a hybrid (Giant Cypress) for around 6 years. A few months ago I went to the LBS and said I'd be interested in the Giant Composite Avail (a carbon fibre bike) because I wanted a really light bike that would take me further and faster... He's a nice guy and I'm sure he meant well but he tried to talk me out of it - Gave me a Ridley cyclocross to test ride which I tried but found not so much lighter than my hybrid and not particularly endearing. Eventually my brother discovered a 5-yr old Specialized Ruby for sale at a brilliant price and she's been mine for a month now. All I can say is to endorse the comments of those who advise you to try out as many different styles and types as you can and don't be put off by guys who may not mean to be patronising but, sadly, do come over that way. You mention group rides and I have understood from those local to me that one needs to be able to average anything from 12 to 16 mph over 30 miles or so... pretty hard work on a heavy hybrid and another reason why I wanted a light road bike, so I could up my average speed. Good luck with the hunt! It'll be interesting to see what you end up with.:)